Latch



Nov. 2 1926. v 1,605,744

` G. P. LIVRE LATCH Filed Oct. 2, li: 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fi .2

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STATES .i .amitiee arent LATCH.

Application filed October 2, 1923, Serial No, 686,126, and in France October 13, 1922.'

This invention relates to latches tor doors, windows, iaiiels, or the like. whether hinged or sliding.

,fi main object oi the present invention is to prevent chattering of closed windows vin doors et moving vehicles, particularly automobiles.

Anotheil object ot the invention is to provide a latch in the nat-ure oit a wedge which automatically operates as the door, panel, window, or the like is closed.

Another object is to provide a latch in the nature ot a wedge which is also resilient, so that as the door latched on the completion ot a closingl movement there is no jarring action which might damage or shatter' glazed portions of the moving member.

Another object is to provide a latch of the nature above referred to which automatically regains its initial position wien the door is .in an open position, so that it is ready for operation at the next closing movement of the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wedging member the contour ot which,

when in contact with the door, corresponds to the closing edge of the door, so that a prolonged contact tace is provided, thereby eliminating any possibility of a rocking movement between the wedging member and the door, or the like.

A still 'further object is to provide a wedge ing member having a contour corresponding to that ot the closing edge of the door and extending for a height equivalent to the height ot the door, so that by reason of the coinciding contact faces ot the door and wedging member, a substantially airtight joint is provided.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated, by way ot example, preferred torins ot the present invention in its application to hinged doors and to sliding windows, or the like.

ln these drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the rebate ot a door, provided with the latching linger which forms the subject-matter ot this invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line afiof Fig. l.; Fig. 3 shows a inodiiieation of Fig. l; Fig. Ll shows a second modification; Fig. 5 is a section on the line y-y of Fig. l; Fig. 6 shows a inodiiicationof the device shown in4 Fieu; and Figs. 7 and 8 show the application bi" the device which l.forms the subject-matter oi' this invention to a sliding window.

In Fig. l, .the rebate l of the door has formed init a recess-2, in which a wedging member el in the 'form of a cam and provided with a linger 5 is adapted to rock on a pivot 3, as is shown in Fig. 2. lWhen the door is open, the member 4l occupies the position il shown by dot and dash lines. under the action ot the spring 6, and its finger is at 5l and its spring at 61. The edge face ot the glazed iframe 7 of the door ris of curved section and its profile corresponds to the pr: file olf the cam or wedging member Li. This face terminates at one side in an edge 8 corresponding to the linger 5.

lilhen the door is closed, the glazed frame 7 accompanies the door and rocks on its pivot, following Jthe course or path indicated by the arrow F.

At the end o t the path the edge 8 ot this glazed iframe strikes against the finger 5, causes the cam l to rock on its pivot. conipresses the spring 6, and brings said cam into the position shown in tull lines in Fig.

2, which is the position in which the cam ce 1responds exactly to the profile of the edge of the trame, thus latcliing the trame and rendering it immovable, as shown in the ligure.

In consequence of the special shape ot the cam, the trame 7 is latclied and cannot rock in the reverse direction to that indicated by the arrow F, or chatter due to vibration or variable wind pressure, being also clamped laterally between the pivot on which it rocks and the cam 4c j vhich renders it absolutely immovable.

On applying eiiort to open the door, the frame 7 carried along with it becomes released of itself, and the spring 6 will bring the cam back to the position al again, to be ready again the instant the door is closed.

It mustbe understood that instead ot a single wedging member or cam only, any number ot such cams may be mounted along the rebate l, (three in tlie case ot Fig. l) and the edge oi' the trame 7 will consequent '1y be profiled to the level of each cam or over the7 whole ot its length.

l may also in place of a number ot cams use a cylinder 9, extending over the entire height Yof the rebate, having the saine sec tion as the cam t, rocking on a pivot,3, and exercising over the whole of its height the tifa no UU same function as the cam or cams in Fig. 1 and drawn back like them by spring tongues 10, or any other suitable spring device.

l may also, as shown in Fig. 5, carry out my invention by means of a simple linger 11 instead oft' a cam, this linger engaging in a suitably shaped recess 16 in the edge tace of the frame. The lateral clamping action which the cam produces by reason ol' its shape or outline is replaced in this case by the action of a spring 15 which thrusts the linger 11 against the bottom o'tl the recess 1li as will be explained hereinafter.

The said linger 11, Which may be o't any suitable form, is mounted in the recess 2 in the rebate 1 to turn abo-ut a vertical pivot 12, but this pivot, instead ol being fixed to the rebate as in the example above described, is carriedby a member 13 which is movable laterally and is guided in a recess 14 lormed for this purpose in the rebate, and is constantly thrust outwards, that is to say, towards the right in the ease or' Fig. 5, by the above-mentioned spring 15 which may be va coiled or other spring. then the door is opened, the linger 11 occupies, under the action ol the spring 15, the position 111. The recess 16 in the edge laee ol' the glazed frame 7 is cut either to the height of the linger 11, or over the Whole ot its height, in the form ot a gutter.

The instant the doo-r is closed, the finger 17 forming the edge of the recess or gutter 16 strikes against the linger 11, and causes it to rock upon its pivot. 11 engages in the gutter' 16 and by means olf the spring 15 which thrusts it down to the bottom et this gutter, corresponds exactly to the shape thereof, and produces th-e lateral clampingof the glazed frame 7 and consequently renders it absolutely immovable.

It must be understood that instead ot' a single linger 11 I may employ a` number ot such lingers arranged over the Whole olf the height of the rebate 1. Each oli these fingers Will be provided with its oWn adjustable pivo-t and its own thrust spring, or on the other hand, all the lingers may be mounted on the same pivot carried by one or more sliding members and be provided with a single 4spring mechanism for producing the lateral thrust.

I may also employ, as shown in Fig. 4. a cylinder 18 having as its prolile -the pr 'le of the linger 11 and mounted on and rocking on a pivot 12 carried by a certain number of sliding members 13 attached to springs` 15, this cylinder exercising over the Whole of its height the saine function as the linger l1.

The modification shown in Fig. 6' differs from the device hereinbefore described and shown in Figs 2, by ,the addition tothe 'Wedgng 'member cream, whichis'desig- The said linger A geene/ae nated 44 either at the front or at the rear thereof, olI a second linger 19 which, when the door is closed, will correspond exactly to the external face 0l' the movable frame 7 7, as shown. The second linger will be, preierably, ol greater length than the finger 55, which latter corresponds to the Afinger 5 in Fig. 2.

By means of this second linger 19 a better securing ot the movable 'frame 77 is obtained, as said trame is not liable to be sul jected to any torsion capable o'l' breaking the glass or spoiling the lrame, as might 'happen in certain cases if the frame were violently returned to its latching position.

As has been stated above, the edge lace of the trame 77 is suitably shaped so as to correspond exactly with the form of the cam and its lingers. It Will 3e ot advantage to give to the external portion ot said edge lace, against which the linger 19 bears, the form or' a slight projection 771, the profile el the linger 19 being suitably curved in consequence so as to correspond exactly to this projection, as is shown in Fig. 6. In this case the linger' 19 acts really as a hook and might also be replaced by a hook.

Instead ol1 being made in the form ot' a cam, the member 44 may be equally Well constituted by a member of circular section suitably mounted oli centre and 'exercising the same function.

This eccentric Will be provided, it must be understood, With one or more lingers, according as the arrangement or construction shown in Fig. 2, or that shown in Fig. (i, is adopted.

All that has been stated hcrcinbeliore about the arrangement olf one or more Wedging members or cams along the rebate o tf the door mounted on the same pivot, or on different pivots, and about the provision of a single memberI having the saine section as the cam and extending over the whole ieight of the rebate, or over a portion ot this height may, it must be understood, be repeated here.

ln like manner the retracting spring 6G may be replaced by any other spline` device, as for example, a coiled or similar spring acting on the pivot 33 and adapted to bring back the member 44 to the position 44Vl shown in dot and dash lines, when the frame 77 is open.

Hitherto only the latching of rocking glazed 'frames has been considered, but the device which forms the subject-matter ot the present invention applies equally well to the latehing of sliding glazed trames or Windovvs, such as those which `are commonly used in the bodies of automobile vehicles, in railway carriages, and other vehicles.

7 and 8 shoW,b-y Way ot example. a constructional form of the latc'hing device formel1-sliding glazed 1frames.

20 denotes a panel which may be lined or movable, and in which a. glazed trame 2l slides, said iframe being adapted to be moved into position at the upper part of the panel, as is shown in Fig. 8.

In these sliding Jtrame arrangen'ients, the glazed frame, when it is in place, is subjected `to the concnssions of the vehicle.

ln order to latch it, l use a wedging member 22 similar to the cam t employed for the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, having preferably the protile shown iii-Figs. 7 and tl and havin a liat portion Q3 and a finger 2l, the flat p `tion and the edge of the finger 242 constituting the sides of a right angle.

This member is adapted to rock on a pivot 25 mounted in the uppeil part of the recess in the panel 20. n retracting spring` 26 tends to bring back the cam 22 to the position shown in Fig. 7.

lli/Then the glazed trame or Window is raised, its upper edge 27 Will strike against the linger 2li and cause the member 22 to rock, thus compressing the retrac'ting spring. The upper edge 27 thus becom-es seated, when the ivindon7 is completely raised (see F 8), in the angle formed by the finger 2liand the llat par 23, and the Window, Will `then be rendered absolutely immovable by the action of the cam or eccentric 22.

l may, it must be understood, mount along the. upper edge of the panel 20 one, two, or a greater number of latching members such as Q2, and l may also use a cylinder having the same section and extending over the whole length or this upper edge or over only a portion of this length.

The retracting spring device may be ot any other type than the one described. The eccentric may also be ont any suitable form that will allouT it to correspond exactly to the form which it has been thought Well to give to the edge Q7, that is, in intaglio, or in relief.

Furthermore, in order to avoid strain on the hinges at the moment of closing, l may provide an elastic device constituted either by coiled springs, or by flat or other springs, so that the Whole may be subjected to slight flexion the instant the` Window comes into contact with the cam. This device Will als act to automatically take up the slack produced by Wear.

lt must be distinctly understood that the various arrangements Which have just been described are given by way of simple examples only, and that I reserve to myself the right to vary the constructive arrangements Without departing` from the scope of my invention.

Again, the device Which forms the subjectmatter of the present invention may, in all its constructional forms, be applied as I have already said, to all other uses than the latching of automobile Windows'. It may also be constructed and used for the latching of any movable device., such tor example, as a folding door, a easement Window, or the like.

l claim l. Automatic means for latching and uniatching a rigid, plane closure member Within an open frame, comprising a wedging member pivotally mounted within the 'trame and adapted to be struck and turned about its pivot by the closure member as the latter reaches closing;` position, to bring a ivedging portion ci the ive-dging member into binding engagement With the taceoi' the closure member; means being provided to oppose lateral movement ct the closure member under such wedging action.

2. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, planeclosnre member Within an open trame, comprising a pivot carried bythe trame, and disposed thereivithin in the plane ot the closure member when the latter is in closed position, and a cylindrical member eccentrically mounted on said pivot and adapted to be strucl; andL turned about the pivot by the closure member on reaching closing position, so as to bring a Wedging -portion of the ivedging member into binding engagement With the edge face of the closure member; means being provided to oppose lateral move-ment oi the closure member under such vvedging action.

Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member within an open frame, comprising a pivot carried by the 'frame and disposed thereivithin in the plane ot the closure member when the latter is in closed position, a cylindrical member eccentrically mounted on said pivot, and a projection on the cylindrical member adapted to be struck by the closure member on reaching closing position so as 'to rotate said cylindrical member about the pivot and thereby bring a Wedging portion there oft into binding engagement with the edge. vlare of the closure member; means being provided to oppose lateral movement of the closure member under such Wedging action.

t. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member Within an open frame, comprising a pivot carried by the frame and disposed therewithin in the plane oi' the closure member when the latter is in closed position, a cylindrical member eccentrically mounted on said pivot, and a projection on the cylindrical member; the portion of said cylindrical member adj acent said projection having a contour correspending to the edge conliguration of the closure member, so that as said closure member reaches closing position it strikes the projection and rotates the cylindrical memberkabout its pivot into such a position that `the said portion thereof adjacent the projection is brought into Wedgmg eniss c gagement with the edge tace oit vthe closure me nber, While the projection itsellc lits snugly against the adjacent face ot said closure member.

5. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member Within an open trame, comprising a pivot carried by he 'frame and disposed therewithin in the plane oifthe closure member when the latter in closed position, and an eccentric mounted on the pivot and having a projection which is adapted to be struck by the closure member on reaching closing position so as to rotate the eccentric about said pivot and thereby bring a Wedging portion theree't into liinding engagement with the edge tace ot the closure member.

(3. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member Within an open trame, comprising a wecging member piif'otally mounted Within the trame and adapted to be struck and turned about its pivot by the closure member as the latter reaches closing position so as to bring a Wedging portion ot the wedging member into binding engagement with tue edge face et the closure member, and resilient means for reti-acting the Wedging member to normal position when the closure member is returned to an open position.

7. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member Within an open frame, comprising a pivot carried by the trame and disposed therewithin in the plane oit' the closure memberv When the latter is in Closed position, an eccentric mounted on the pivot and having a projection which is adapted to be struck by the closure member on reaching closing position so as to rotate the eccentric about said pivot and thereby bring a Wedging portion thereoil into binding engagement with the edge face ot' the closure member, and resilient means for retracting the eccentric to normal position when the closure member is re turned to an open position.

8. Automatic means tor latching and uny latching a hinged door Within an open trame, comprising pivots on the opposite side of the trame from the door hinges, a cylindrical member eccentrically carried by said pivots, and a projection on the cylindrical member adapted to be struck by the door on reaching closing position so as to rotate said cylindrical member into a positien in which a rfedging portion thereof is brought into binding engagement -with the edge :tace oit the door.

9. automatic means tor latching and unle'chii'ig a hinged door within an open Ironie, comprising pivots on the opposite side oig the Afreine vtrom the door hinges, an eccentriccn @sich pivot, and a projection on each eccentri; said projections adapted to be str'ck by the door on reaching closing position so as to rotate the eccentries about their pivots and thereby bring a wedging portion et each eccentric into binding engagement with the edge :tace or' the door.

l0. Automatic means for latching and unlatching a rigid, plane closure member withlr; an open. trame, comprising an eccentric pivotniiy mounted within the i'rame and having a rolling surface, and a pair oit fingers on the eccentric limiting such surtace :it opposite ends; one inger adapted to be struck the closure member on reaching closing position so as to rotate the eccentric about its pivot and thereby bring the rollingl surface thereof into binding engagement with the edge tace of the closure me1nbei', the other linger adapted to lit snugly against the adjacent side tace of said member.

ll. i'tutomatic latching and unlatching means, according to claim l0, in which the second-named finger has a length appreciably greater than the nist-named linger, so as to prevent the closure member from passing beyond the pivot ot' the eccentric.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specilication.

GAETAN Linvnn. 

